Not all medical transportation is the same. Understanding the difference between wheelchair and stretcher transport helps you choose the right service and ensures a safe, comfortable ride.
Choosing the Right Type of Medical Transport
When booking non-emergency medical transportation, one of the first questions you will answer is: what type of vehicle and service do you need? The most common distinction for patients who cannot use standard vehicles is between wheelchair transportation and stretcher (gurney) transportation. Understanding the difference ensures you get a safe, appropriate ride — and helps avoid unnecessary costs or delays.
What Is Wheelchair Transportation?
Our wheelchair transportation service is for patients who use a manual or power wheelchair and cannot be safely transferred to a standard vehicle seat. NEMT wheelchair vehicles are typically modified vans or minivans equipped with:
- Hydraulic or fold-out wheelchair ramps or lifts
- Certified wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint systems (WTORS)
- Sufficient interior space to accommodate most standard and power wheelchairs
The patient remains seated in their wheelchair throughout the trip. Drivers are trained to safely secure the chair and ensure the patient is comfortable and stable.
Who Needs Wheelchair Transport?
- Patients who use a manual or power wheelchair full-time
- Patients who can sit upright for the duration of the trip
- Those who do not require medical monitoring during transport
- Patients recovering from lower limb injuries or surgeries who are still mobile in a wheelchair
What Is Stretcher (Gurney) Transportation?
Our stretcher transportation service — sometimes called gurney transport — is for patients who cannot sit upright for the duration of the trip. These are typically patients with:
- Recent abdominal or thoracic surgery
- Severe pain that makes sitting impossible
- Neurological conditions affecting posture or core strength
- Wounds or injuries that require the patient to remain flat
- Advanced illness where sitting is medically contraindicated
Stretcher vehicles have a full-length gurney secured inside the vehicle. Patients travel lying flat and are attended to by a trained driver or attendant. These vehicles are not ambulances — there is no active medical care provided — but they offer a safe, flat-transport environment for medically fragile patients.
How to Choose Between Wheelchair and Stretcher
The key question is: can the patient safely sit upright for the length of the trip?
- If yes → Wheelchair transport (or ambulatory transport, if they can walk)
- If no → Stretcher transport
When in doubt, consult your doctor or healthcare provider. They can provide guidance on which transport type is medically appropriate for your condition.
What About Ambulatory Transport?
Ambulatory transport is a third option for patients who can walk or require only minor assistance boarding the vehicle. These patients do not use a wheelchair or stretcher — they ride in a standard accessible van or sedan with some physical assistance from the driver if needed. It is the most economical NEMT option.
AVIVA MedTrans Offers All Three
AVIVA MedTrans provides ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Our trained drivers know how to assess and accommodate patient needs, and our fleet is equipped for each type of service. See our guide to booking a medical transportation ride in Miami for next steps. Call us at (844) 201-0110 or book online to discuss which service is right for you.
Ready to Book Your Ride in Miami FL?
AVIVA MedTrans provides ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher NEMT across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.